. >> reporter: the city moved up its annual gun buyback program after the school massacre in newtown. many waiting in the long lines say the tragedy is what spurred them to act. >> because of the recent news, and all that, we decided to bring in some old guns and drop them off. >> reporter: the line stretched around the block at both locations in van nuys and exposition park. as residents voluntarily surrendered weapons of all shapes and sizes, like this ar-15, similar to the one used in newtown. >> they are exactly the kind of guns that fall into the hands of untrained people who are not their owners and are used for deadly purpose. they are exactly the kind of guns that we want off the street. >> reporter: since the program began in 2009, the lapd collected 8,000 weapons. citizens voluntarily surrender their firearms, no questions asked, no i.d.s needed. in exchange, they get a ralph's gift card. $200 for assault weapons. $100 for other firearms. >> i don't need it anymore. i'm too old already. i'm 85 years old. i don't need that. >> reporter: while critics call it a failure saying